Synthetic drug challenges health and laws

Synthetic marijuana is the second most used drug by high school seniors according to the DEA and National Institute on Drug Abuse survey of high school seniors in 2011.

Music business sophomore Jesus Interiano, said, “They are too afraid to break the law … if they can’t experience the real thing they want to try something that can get them close to it. It gives them some added comfort knowing that this stuff is known to allegedly give the same effect; it’s legal and that’s what appeals to them.”

Interiano is a part of Peer Educators, they offer counseling on drug and alcohol abuse, STD and HIV health, domestic violence and depression for faculty and students at this college.

Synthetic marijuana is popular among teens and young adults as an alternative to marijuana.

The substance elicits a “high” similar to marijuana but is not subject to legal punishment.

Elevated mood, relaxation and altered perception are some of the effects the drugs have on the body, according to NIDA. Some users report psychotic effects, such as extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations.

The drug can cause heart attacks in some users, NIDA’s website stated.

Rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation and confusion are symptoms reported among users. Some have experienced raised blood pressure and caused reduced blood supply to the heart, known as myocardial ischemia.

Spice and K2 are common names for synthetic marijuana.

The drug is commonly purchased in head shops, tobacco shops or over the Internet.

The drug is a mixture of herbs and spices that are sprayed with a synthetic compound chemically similar to THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Smoking synthetic marijuana is the primary method in the intake of the drug.